It’s one of the most searched questions on Google when someone needs their fingerprints taken — how much does it cost to get fingerprinted at USPS? It sounds like a logical place to go. The post office is everywhere, it handles official documents, and most people assume it offers a wide range of government-adjacent services.
But the reality of USPS fingerprinting cost — and what the post office actually offers — is far more complicated than most people expect. This guide gives you a complete, honest, and fully updated answer for 2025, so you don’t waste time driving to a location that can’t help you.
Does USPS Actually Offer Fingerprinting Services?
Let’s address the core question directly. As of 2025, the United States Postal Service (USPS) does not offer fingerprinting services as a standard, nationwide offering at its retail locations.
This surprises a lot of people. The confusion likely stems from the fact that USPS does offer passport application services, identity document processing, and a range of government-related services at select locations — leading many to assume fingerprinting falls under the same umbrella.
It does not. There is no official USPS fingerprinting program at standard post office counters. If you’ve seen references online to USPS fingerprinting cost, those references are either outdated, location-specific exceptions, or based on a misunderstanding of what postal services are actually available.
The bottom line: if you need fingerprinting for a background check, a professional license, an FBI submission, or any other official purpose, USPS is not a reliable or consistent option — and in most cases, not an option at all.
So Where Does the Confusion About USPS Fingerprinting Cost Come From?
The confusion is understandable for a few reasons.
First, some third-party fingerprinting vendors have historically operated kiosks or service desks inside or near certain USPS locations — similar to how notary services are sometimes available inside shipping stores. These arrangements are not universal, not managed by USPS directly, and vary enormously by location.
Second, USPS’s involvement in passport photo services and document authentication creates a natural association in people’s minds with other identity-verification services like fingerprinting.
Third, older forum posts, outdated government guides, and cached web pages sometimes reference fingerprinting services at postal locations that no longer exist or were never widely available to begin with.
The result is a widespread but inaccurate belief that USPS fingerprinting is a standard, accessible, and affordable service — when in reality, it simply isn’t something you can count on at your local post office.
Truth #1 — USPS Fingerprinting Cost Is Not Standardized Because the Service Is Not Standardized
Since USPS does not operate a formal fingerprinting program, there is no standardized USPS fingerprinting cost to reference. Any pricing you find associated with USPS and fingerprinting either refers to a rare, location-specific arrangement with a third-party vendor, or is simply inaccurate information.
This is critically important if you’re working against a deadline. Relying on USPS fingerprinting — only to arrive and find the service unavailable — can delay your background check submission, your professional license application, or your immigration process in ways that are difficult and costly to recover from.
For reliable, consistent, and professionally administered fingerprinting services, dedicated fingerprinting providers are the correct choice — not the post office.
Truth #2 — What You Actually Need Determines Where You Should Go
Before you search for fingerprinting near me or assume any location will work, it’s essential to identify exactly what type of fingerprinting service you need. This determines not just where to go, but what the process looks like and what it will cost.
Live Scan Fingerprinting
Live scan fingerprinting captures your fingerprints digitally using an electronic scanner. The impressions are transmitted directly to the Oregon State Police (OSP), the FBI, or another designated repository. Live scan is fast, clean, and increasingly the standard for state-level background checks in Oregon.
Ink Roll Fingerprinting (FD-258 Card)
Ink roll fingerprinting involves pressing and rolling each finger onto an FD-258 fingerprint card using professional fingerprinting ink. This method is required when the requesting agency needs a physical fingerprint card — common for federal background checks, firearms licensing (FFL), USCIS immigration applications, and agencies outside the United States that don’t accept digital submissions.
Hard Card Fingerprinting
Some agencies require fingerprints on their own specific card format rather than the standard FD-258 card. This is referred to as hard card fingerprinting and requires a provider experienced in working with agency-specific card formats.
Knowing which method your requesting agency requires is the first step — and a professional fingerprinting service can help you confirm this if you’re unsure.
Truth #3 — Professional Fingerprinting Services Cost Less Than Most People Expect
One of the reasons people search for USPS fingerprinting cost is the assumption that the post office might offer a cheaper rate than a dedicated provider. In practice, professional fingerprinting services are far more affordable than most people anticipate.
Here is a realistic breakdown of current fingerprinting service costs in Oregon in 2026:
Live Scan Fingerprinting: Typically $20 to $50 per applicant, depending on the purpose and the receiving agency. Some employers or licensing boards prepay the fee on behalf of the applicant.
Ink Roll Fingerprinting (FD-258 Card): Generally $35 to $75 per card set, including all ten fingers and the flat impressions. Additional cards cost less per set.
Hard Card Fingerprinting: $40 to $80 depending on the agency’s card format and specific requirements.
Mobile Fingerprinting Services: For groups, corporate clients, or individuals who need fingerprinting at their location, mobile fingerprinting rates typically start at $75 to $150 per visit, plus a per-person fee.
These are transparent, predictable rates — very different from the uncertainty of searching for USPS fingerprinting cost and coming up empty-handed.
Truth #4 — FBI Background Check Fingerprinting Has Specific Requirements USPS Cannot Meet
If you need fingerprints for a federal background check — submitted directly to the FBI’s Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division — the requirements are precise and unforgiving.
Your FD-258 fingerprint card must be completed on FBI-approved card stock, using professional-grade fingerprinting ink, by a trained technician who understands the correct rolling technique for each finger. Every demographic field on the card must be filled in completely and accurately. The ORI number must be correct. The card must arrive at the FBI in pristine, undamaged condition.
A standard USPS counter — even if fingerprinting were theoretically available — is not equipped to meet these standards. The consequences of a poorly completed card include FBI rejection, resubmission delays, and potentially missed deadlines for your application or license.
A professional fingerprinting service provider with experience in FBI fingerprint submissions eliminates all of these risks.
Truth #5 — Oregon Fingerprinting Requirements Are More Specific Than People Realize
Oregon has its own set of fingerprinting requirements for various professional licenses, certifications, and background checks — and they don’t always align with what a general provider can offer.
The Oregon Department of Education, Oregon Health Authority, Oregon Department of Human Services, and numerous state licensing boards all have specific instructions for how fingerprints must be submitted, to which repository, and in what format. Some require live scan through approved Oregon State Police channelers. Others still accept or require ink card submissions.
Navigating these requirements correctly — without errors that trigger rejection or delay — requires a provider who is familiar with Oregon-specific fingerprinting procedures and stays current with any changes to state agency requirements.
Truth #6 — Mobile Fingerprinting Services Fill the Gap That USPS Never Could
One of the most practical alternatives to searching for USPS fingerprinting cost is simply booking a mobile fingerprinting service that comes to you. For individuals with mobility limitations, employers fingerprinting multiple staff members, or organizations processing a large group of applicants, mobile fingerprinting is both more convenient and more cost-effective than sending everyone to a fixed location.
A professional mobile fingerprinting provider brings all necessary equipment — live scan devices or ink fingerprinting supplies — directly to your home, office, school, or facility. They handle setup, processing, and submission, leaving you with nothing to manage on your end.
In Oregon, mobile fingerprinting services are available throughout the Portland metro area, the Willamette Valley, and many surrounding communities — making professional service far more accessible than any post office counter could offer.
Truth #7 — Choosing the Right Fingerprinting Service in Oregon Matters More Than Finding the Cheapest Option
When your fingerprints are connected to a federal background check, a professional license, a firearms application, or an immigration case, accuracy and professionalism are non-negotiable. A rejected card or a failed live scan submission doesn’t just cost you money — it costs you time, and in some cases, opportunities.
Here’s what to look for when choosing a fingerprinting service provider in Oregon:
Trained, Certified Technicians
Your fingerprint technician should be trained in proper ink rolling technique, live scan operation, and the specific requirements of the agencies your prints are being submitted to. Certification through recognized bodies adds an additional layer of credibility.
Multiple Service Types Available
A quality provider offers live scan fingerprinting, ink roll fingerprinting, and hard card fingerprinting — so regardless of what your requesting agency requires, they can accommodate you without sending you elsewhere.
Experience with Your Specific Purpose
Whether you need fingerprints for FBI submission, USCIS immigration, Oregon state licensing, TSA PreCheck, adoption background checks, or firearm licensing, your provider should have direct experience with your specific use case.
Transparent, Upfront Pricing
A reputable fingerprinting service provides clear pricing before you arrive — no hidden fees, no surprise charges, and no ambiguity about what’s included in the quoted rate.
Fast Turnaround and Appointment Availability
Whether you need a same-day fingerprinting appointment or want to schedule ahead, your provider should offer flexible availability and a clear timeline for when your submission will be processed and sent.
What to Bring to Your Fingerprinting Appointment in Oregon
Regardless of which professional fingerprinting service you use, showing up prepared makes the process faster and smoother. Here’s what you should bring:
A government-issued photo ID — driver’s license, passport, or state ID — is required at virtually every fingerprinting appointment. Your ORI number or agency request letter, if provided by your requesting organization. Any fingerprint card provided by your agency, if applicable. Confirmation of the purpose of fingerprinting — employment, licensing, immigration, firearms, or other — so the technician can complete all required fields correctly.
Avoid applying lotion or hand cream for at least one hour before your appointment, as these substances can interfere with both ink adhesion and live scan image quality. Keep your hands clean and dry.
The Real Answer to “How Much Is It to Get Fingerprinted at USPS?”
The real answer is: USPS does not reliably offer fingerprinting services, and there is no standard USPS fingerprinting cost to quote in 2025.
What does exist — and what genuinely serves your needs — is a network of professional fingerprinting service providers across Oregon who offer live scan fingerprinting, ink roll fingerprinting, and mobile fingerprinting services at transparent, affordable rates.
For anyone in Oregon needing fingerprints for a background check, professional license, FBI submission, immigration application, or any other official purpose — the right move is to book with a certified, experienced fingerprinting service that knows exactly what your agency requires and gets it right the first time.
Don’t let an outdated assumption about USPS fingerprinting cost send you to the wrong place. Professional help is closer — and more affordable — than you think.
